Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz

What I do is a very easy flower smelling, rose sniffing cruise through a park. Just enough to stretch and spin up the legs on Feiday, If not, Thursday. But no effort at all. At this point, you're either trained or you're not, so just relax and enjoy the cruise on Thrus or Fri..

One thing you don't want to do, and I saw it on the TDF a couple years back. EVERYBODY raced off the line like madmen!. Mainly because of the police escort. Too may people got excited and raced the first few miles across Foothill, and they shouldn't have. Many were already looking wasted by the time they reached Bonelli Park. If you try to match the group, it can cost you bigtime soon after the start. Don't get sucked into the game. Like any ride, do your pace, if you feel good midway, then maybe pick up the pace some but DON'T burn yourself out early. You've got a long way to go. Heck, don't feel bad if you find yourself at the tail end of the riders after the beginning. I do many times but pass several riders halfway through the ride just holding my pace. Be consistent throughout the ride, not a speed demon at the start.